I drove to work on Tuesday and Wednesday and took the Coaster on Thursday. I think I'm really going to enjoy taking the train - much more relaxing than fighting traffic on the 5 (actually, I don't usually get on the 5 until I have to, down around Del Mar).
Of course, when I drive in I can pull over and take a few pictures, so that's not all bad :-)
I think I may have found an apartment today. I'll be in Oceanside, just across the Buena Vista Lagoon from Carlsbad Village. I should be able to walk to the village and take the Coaster to work. The apartment is a bit bigger than I really need, but that just means it will be easier for me to have guests. I was originally considering living in downtown San Diego, but I think the easier access to surfing, combined with my familiarity with the area, tilted the balance toward living in North County.
Today, the Christmas shopping began. Anybody have any interesting gift suggestions? If you have anyone on your Christmas list who likes to travel, I have a suggestion: PointIt. I didn't pick up a copy of this until after my big Europe trip, but it sure would have come iin handy. I had to buy mine from the Museum of Modern Art, but it looks like Amazon carries it now.
You may be fluent in multiple languages but still sometimes find yourself "off the beaten path " and unable to communicate effectively. "Point It " is the solution, with images of 1200 items to which you can indicate for universal understanding. This passport-sized assistant is used not only by tourists but also by UN peacekeeping forces, Olympic athletes, and speech therapists. The book is the result of the author's extensive travels in five continents.
Anybody else have a gift suggestion?
The move back to San Diego is official! The exact date is still slightly up in the air, but sometime before the end of January I’ll be settling back in to that Southern California lifestyle that I’ve been missing. As many of you know, I have hoped that life would bring me back to San Diego some day, but I expected that return to take a few more years. Fortunately for me, an opportunity has appeared that will both let me return to San Diego and give me a professional opportunity to do the kind of work that I enjoy most.
